African Geomatics

Topographic Maps of Southern Africa

Thanks to Grant Slater , topographic maps covering several countries in Southern Africa are available as georeferenced online maps and XYZ tile services. You can view the maps in a web browser or add them as background layers in GIS software.
Adding the XYZ tile services to GIS software

These maps help preserve historical geographic information and make it accessible to everyone. Most of the map sheets date from the 1960s to the 1990s, documenting the region's landscapes, settlements, infrastructure and other geographical features at the time of mapping.

Namibia Topographic Maps

https://namibia-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/
Topographic Maps 1:50,000 (1958–1991)

XYZ Tiles: https://namibia-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/na_sgswa_topo_50k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
Topographic Maps 1:250,000 (1972–1989)

XYZ Tiles: https://namibia-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/na_sgswa_topo_250k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Zimbabwe Topographic Maps

https://zimbabwe-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/
Topographic Maps 1:50,000 (1960–2000)

XYZ Tiles: https://zimbabwe-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/zw_topo_50k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
Topographic Maps 1:250,000 (1975–1995)

XYZ Tiles: https://zimbabwe-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/zw_topo_250k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Eswatini Topographic Maps

https://eswatini-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/
Topographic Maps 1:50,000 (1969–1984)

XYZ Tiles: https://eswatini-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/sz_dos_topo_50k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Lesotho Topographic Maps

https://lesotho-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/
Topographic Maps 1:50,000 (1979–1982)

XYZ Tiles: https://lesotho-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/ls_topo_50k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

South Africa Topographic Maps

https://topo.openstreetmap.org.za/
Topographic Maps 1:50,000 (1996–2013)

XYZ Tiles: https://topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/za_ngi_topo_50k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
Topographic Maps 1:250,000 (1996–2010)

XYZ Tiles: https://topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/za_ngi_topo_250k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Malawi Topographic Maps

Incomplete, about 65 map sheets are still missing

https://malawi-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/
Topographic Maps 1:50,000

XYZ Tiles: https://malawi-topo.openstreetmap.org.za/layer/mw_dos_topo_50k/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

How to Add XYZ Tile Services in GIS Software

QGIS

Open the Browser panel
Under XYZ Tiles, click New Connection…
Paste the copied URL and enter a name for the connection
Add the layer to the project

ArcGIS Pro

Select Add Data From Path
Paste the copied URL
The tile service is added to the map as a layer